Public space protection orders to be extended

Public space protection orders (PSPO) to curb crime and anti-social behaviour in a city centre are to be extended for three years.

About 96% of people who responded to a survey were in support of Peterborough City Council's proposal to extend the orders, which were imposed in 2023, the local authority said.

The council said respondents also supported changes to three conditions relating to alcohol consumption under a PSPO covering Millfield, New England, Eastfield and the Embankment, which was introduced in 2024.

The orders are recommended for approval at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The current city centre orders expire on 27 April.

If extended, they would give the council and police additional powers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as street drinking.

The council is proposing variations to the PSPO relating to alcohol consumption in Millfield and surrounding areas at the same time.

Anyone found to have breached the orders could be fined up to £1,000 or receive a fixed penalty notice, it added.

As part of a public consultation that ended on 9 January, the local authority also received calls to tackle concerns regarding street begging and rough sleeping.

Between November 2024 and October 2025, the council issued 204 fixed penalty notices in the PSPO areas, including five for failure to surrender alcohol and 160 for unauthorised cycling.

Previously, Zameer Ali, a Labour councillor and cabinet member for communities, poverty and public health, said maintaining a city centre PSPO would keep "communities safe and make Peterborough an attractive place, to live, visit or work as well as supporting businesses".

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